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Al Capone's Cadillac V8 set for auction: Armored 1928 Town Sedan to cross block at Concours d'Elegance of America

July 19, 2012

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High-profile auto auctions are bittersweet events. The vast majority of us can only sit and watch, slack-jawed, as historically significant cars emerge to move from one private collection and quickly disappear into another.

Even if we're in no position to bid, we can certainly appreciate the wealth of automotive history that surfaces around auction time.

Such is the case with a 1928 Cadillac V8 Town Sedan that's set to cross the block at the upcoming RM auction during the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's in Plymouth, Mich. The Cadillac is notable because its original owner was Alphonse “Al” Capone.

The original “public enemy” had a penchant for big, luxurious cars and the Cadillac—bought from a Chicago dealer with underworld connections—was one of several in his fleet.

Capone ordered a series of modifications to the car that reflected his unique line of work. Bullet-resistant windows complete with gun-barrel-size portholes complement the roughly 3,000 pounds of steel armor installed behind the Cadillac's body panels. These additions make the Capone Cadillac one of the earliest known civilian armored vehicles.

Not all of the modifications were defensive. A drop-down rear window allowed Capone's bodyguards to fire at pursuing vehicles—an interesting antitailgating feature.

After leaving Capone's possession in 1932, the car enjoyed a brief stint as a circus sideshow, spent some time in England as a tourist attraction and eventually was purchased by a collector in Ontario, Canada, in 1959. The car has changed hands several times and underwent restoration work over the past half century.

RM estimates that the Capone Cadillac will sell for $300,000 to $500,000 during the auction on July 28.

There's no telling whether the car's new owner will exhibit it or tuck it away, so we're glad that this fascinating piece of automotive history is enjoying at least a brief moment in the public eye.

Graham Kozak
- Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they're doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too. Read more »See more by this author»